The 31st annual Palm Springs Open tennis tournament began Friday.
All proceeds from the three-day event, an international tournament run by the Desert Tennis Association, will be donated to AAP-Food Samaritans to support its voucher program, which assists local residents living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses.
This year’s Open will include 253 LGBTQ+ competitors.
Opening matches began at 8 a.m. Friday, with competition scheduled through the weekend at Mission Hills Country Club, Sunrise Country Club and Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
“The Desert Tennis Association is honored to once again support this charity,” Nabil Najjar, the tournament’s director, said in a statement. “AAP-Food Samaritans is a beacon of hope in our community, helping those among us who need it most.”
In addition to singles play, other competitions are scheduled throughout the tournament, including 40+ and 50+ age divisions, as well as doubles brackets.
A silent auction and raffle will be held at this year’s Open, with proceeds also going to AAP.
Attendance is free, according to DTA staff. The full tournament schedule can be found at deserttennis.us.